Stretching Latch for Siding

ABSTRACT

An extendable device for positioning and leveling siding planks during installation supports a row of siding planks and has one or more integrated levels per a standard latch. However, the device also telescopes out to a greater length, equal to the combined lengths of several planks of siding. This device can also be used in roofing for the placement of shingles. There are three different sizes which extend to four feet, eight feet, and sixteen feet in length.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/914428, filed Dec. 11, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to construction equipment and in particular to an extendable device for positioning and leveling siding. In both the construction and remodeling of most homes and other buildings, installation of siding is an important step and must be done correctly. The siding must be installed straight and level. This can be very difficult, particularly with larger planks of siding, which are used frequently to reduce the cost per square foot. An extendable device for positioning and leveling siding planks during installation would resolve this problem. The device supports a row of siding planks and has one or more integrated levels per a standard latch. However, the device also telescopes out to a greater length, equal to the combined lengths of several planks of siding. The device of the invention can also be used in roofing for the placement of shingles. There are preferably three different sizes, which extend to four feet, eight feet, and sixteen feet in length.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to an extendable device for positioning and leveling siding planks during installation. The device supports a row of siding planks and has one or more integrated levels per a standard latch. However, the device also telescopes out to a greater length, equal to the combined lengths of several planks of siding. This device can also be used in roofing for the placement of shingles. There are three different sizes which extend to four feet, eight feet, and sixteen feet in length.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying the crossbar 10, the crossbar arms 11, the levels 12, the latch 13, the vertical slides 14, the slots 14A, the fasteners 15, the support 16, the support arms 17, and the nail holes 18.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying a crossbar arm 11, a vertical slide 14, a fastener 15, and a support arm 17.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the first exemplary embodiment with the central vertical slide removed, displaying the crossbar 10, the crossbar arms 11, the levels 12, the latch 13, the vertical slides 14, the slots 14A, the fasteners 15, the support 16, the support arms 17, and the nail holes 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directed to an extendable device for positioning and leveling siding planks during installation. The device supports a row of siding planks and has one or more integrated levels 11 per a standard latch 13. However, the device also telescopes out to a greater length, equal to the combined lengths of several planks of siding. This device can also be used in roofing for the placement of shingles. There are three different sizes which extend to four feet, eight feet, and sixteen feet in length.

The first exemplary embodiment features a crossbar 10 terminating in a crossbar arm 11 at each end. The crossbar arms 11 may be extended and retracted in a telescoping manner, reaching a length equal to several planks of siding. The crossbar 10 and crossbar arms 10 feature a plurality of nail holes in a horizontal row, with which the device may be secured to a wall. The front surface of the crossbar 10 and crossbar arms 11 also features one or more levels 12, which may be used to ensure that the device is level when it is secured to the wall.

Three vertical slides 14 descend from the front surface of the crossbar 10 and the crossbar arms 11. Each vertical slide 14 is pierced by a slot 14A, which is elongated and closed at both ends. Each slot 14A extends for nearly the entire length of the vertical slide 14. A horizontal support 16, with a telescoping support arm 17 at each end, is affixed to the vertical slides 14 with a threaded fastener 15 passing through each of the slots 14A. The fasteners 15 may be studs in the support 16 and support arms 17, secured with wingnuts; or the fasteners 15 may be bolts with circular heads, and threaded shafts which engage with threaded holes in the support 16 and the support arms 17; or the fasteners 15 may be some other type of fastener that is generally able to be adjusted in its tension such that the horizontal support may be slidable or fixed relative to the vertical slide 14, depending on the tension of the fasteners 15 (in the claims, the fastener 15 is aa “tensionable fastener”). The fasteners 15 are capable of being tightened and loosened by hand, to adjust the height of the support 16 and the support arms 17 with one hand and no tools.

The vertical slide 14 at the center of the device is removable, and secured to the crossarm 10 via a latch 13. Each vertical slide 14 also features a plurality of numbered, calibrated markings at equally spaced intervals along each side of its front surface, measured in centimeters or inches, which may be used to relocate the support 16 and the support arms 17 to a desired precise height to accommodate panels of siding of a particular height.

To use the first exemplary embodiment according to a method of the invention, the user places the device against the wall to which siding is to be affixed, using the levels 11 to ensure that the position of the device is straight and level, then affixes the device to the wall by driving nails through a plurality of the nail holes. The user may then extend the crossbar arms 11 and the support arms 17 to the desired length suitable to support the desired number of planks of siding, and secures the support 16 and the support arms 17 to the vertical slides 14 in the desired position, using the fasteners 15. The user then places one or more planks of siding on the support 16 and the support arms 17, continuing to adjust the fasteners 15 as necessary to ensure that the siding is properly positioned. Finally, the user unlatches the latch 13 to remove the vertical slide 14 at the center of the device, and secures the siding to the wall.

The crossbar 10, crossbar arms 11, latch 13, vertical slides 14, support 16, and support arms 17 are preferably manufactured from rigid, durable materials such as aluminum, steel, or wood. The levels 12 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable, transparent material such as glass, plastic, or methacrylate. The fasteners 15 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durable material such as aluminum or steel. Components, component sizes and dimensions, and materials listed above are preferable, but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materials could be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should, therefore, not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A stretching latch for siding comprising: (a) a crossbar; (b) said crossbar being pierced by a plurality of nail holes; (c) a pair of crossbar arms; (d) said pair of crossbar arms being affixed to said crossbar slidably so as to permit said crossbar arms to be extended and retracted in a telescoping manner; (e) a plurality of vertical slides; (f) each of said plurality of vertical slides being affixed to one of said crossbar or said pair of crossbar arms so as to extend downward; (g) each of said plurality of vertical slides being pierced by at a slot; (h) said slot being closed at both ends, elongated, and extending for nearly the entire length of that of said plurality of vertical slides that said slot pierces; (i) a horizontal support; (j) a pair of telescoping support arms; (k) said pair of telescoping support arms being affixed to said horizontal support slidably so as to permit said telescoping support arms to be extended and retracted in a telescoping manner; and (l) at least one of said horizontal support or said pair of telescoping support arms being slidably affixed to each of said plurality of vertical slides by a tensionable fastener.
 2. The stretching latch for siding of claim 1 wherein said vertical slides are of a height suitable to accommodate panels of siding.
 3. The stretching latch for siding of claim 1 wherein said crossbar, together with said crossbar arms, and, separately, said horizontal support, together with said telescoping support arms, are both able to telescope to a maximum length equal to the combined length of several planks of siding.
 4. The stretching latch for sliding of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of vertical slides is removably affixed to said crossbar.
 5. The stretching latch for siding of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of vertical slides is marked with numbered, calibrated markings.
 6. The stretching latch for siding of claim 1 wherein one or more levels are incorporated into said crossbar.
 7. The stretching latch for siding of claim 2 wherein said crossbar, together with said crossbar arms, and, separately, said horizontal support, together with said telescoping support arms, are both able to telescope to a maximum length equal to the combined length of several planks of siding.
 8. The stretching latch for siding of claim 4 wherein said crossbar, together with said crossbar arms, and, separately, said horizontal support, together with said telescoping support arms, are both able to telescope to a maximum length equal to the combined length of several planks of siding.
 9. The stretching latch for siding of claim 5 wherein said crossbar, together with said crossbar arms, and, separately, said horizontal support, together with said telescoping support arms, are both able to telescope to a maximum length equal to the combined length of several planks of siding.
 10. The stretching latch for siding of claim 6 wherein said crossbar, together with said crossbar arms, and, separately, said horizontal support, together with said telescoping support arms, are both able to telescope to a maximum length equal to the combined length of several planks of siding.
 11. The stretching latch for sliding of claim 7 wherein at least one of said plurality of vertical slides is removably affixed to said crossbar.
 12. The stretching latch for siding of claim 7 wherein each of said plurality of vertical slides is marked with numbered, calibrated markings.
 13. The stretching latch for siding of claim 7 wherein one or more levels are incorporated into said crossbar.
 14. The stretching latch for siding of claim 11 wherein one or more levels are incorporated into said crossbar.
 15. The stretching latch for siding of claim 12 wherein one or more levels are incorporated into said crossbar.
 16. The stretching latch for siding of claim 15 wherein each of said plurality of vertical slides is marked with numbered, calibrated markings.
 17. A method of use of the stretching latch for siding of claim 1 comprising: given a wall to which siding is to be affixed, one or more nails, and one or more planks of siding; the method comprising affixing said crossbar to said wall to which siding is to be affixed by driving said one or more nails through at least one of said plurality of nail holes; extending said crossbar arms and said telescoping support arms to a desired length suitable to support a desired number of said one or more planks of siding; securing said support 16 and said support arms 17 to said vertical slides at a desired height suitable for accommodating the height of said one or more planks of siding, using said tensionable fasteners; and securing said one or more planks of siding to said wall to which siding is to be affixed.
 18. A method of use of the stretching latch for siding of claim 3 comprising: given a wall to which siding is to be affixed, one or more nails, and one or more planks of siding; the method comprising affixing said crossbar to said wall to which siding is to be affixed by driving said one or more nails through at least one of said plurality of nail holes; extending said crossbar arms and said telescoping support arms to a desired length suitable to support a desired number of said one or more planks of siding; securing said support 16 and said support arms 17 to said vertical slides at a desired height suitable for accommodating the height of said one or more planks of siding, using said tensionable fasteners; and securing said one or more planks of siding to said wall to which siding is to be affixed.
 19. A method of use of the stretching latch for siding of claim 7 comprising: given a wall to which siding is to be affixed, one or more nails, and one or more planks of siding; the method comprising affixing said crossbar to said wall to which siding is to be affixed by driving said one or more nails through at least one of said plurality of nail holes; extending said crossbar arms and said telescoping support arms to a desired length suitable to support a desired number of said one or more planks of siding; securing said support 16 and said support arms 17 to said vertical slides at a desired height suitable for accommodating the height of said one or more planks of siding, using said tensionable fasteners; and securing said one or more planks of siding to said wall to which siding is to be affixed.
 20. A method of use of the stretching latch for siding of claim 16 comprising: given a wall to which siding is to be affixed, one or more nails, and one or more planks of siding; the method comprising affixing said crossbar to said wall to which siding is to be affixed by driving said one or more nails through at least one of said plurality of nail holes; extending said crossbar arms and said telescoping support arms to a desired length suitable to support a desired number of said one or more planks of siding; securing said support 16 and said support arms 17 to said vertical slides at a desired height suitable for accommodating the height of said one or more planks of siding, using said tensionable fasteners; and securing said one or more planks of siding to said wall to which siding is to be affixed. 